The wildest response! Black ignores the attack on f7 and develops the bishop aggressively. Named after Karel Traxler (1890s). A double-edged counterattack.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 - See Knight Attack introduction.
4...Bc5! - The Traxler Counterattack! One of the most provocative moves in all of chess. Black completely ignores White's threat to f7 and develops the bishop to an aggressive diagonal, threatening ...Bxf2+.
The idea is that if White takes on f7, Black gets a raging counter-attack with ...Bxf2+. It's a "you take my f7, I take your f2" philosophy.
Lichess Masters statistics: White 57 / Draw 45 / Black 28 (5% of games after 4.Ng5)
5.Bxf7+ - The Bishop Sacrifice Line. The most common and critical response. White takes the pawn with check.
After 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 - Black's king is forced out. Now White has:
White's plans: After Bxf7+, White has a material advantage but an exposed Black king can be a weapon for Black. Play carefully, develop, and consolidate.
Black's plans: Use the exposed king as a weapon! The king on e7 is not as vulnerable as it looks — it can run to d6 or f8. Counter-attack with ...Rf8 or ...d5.
The Traxler is theoretically slightly dubious for Black but practically very dangerous. At club level, many White players are unprepared for the wild positions that arise. A great surprise weapon!
Watch the moves to understand the opening sequence. Use the controls to replay or auto-play the variation.